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June 21, 2010

@HollywoodFLOSS I had this review done for quite sometime now. For a while actually. But things happened, and it didn't get posted. Hollywood FLOSS dropped his album House of Dreams not too long ago. I Did a review for it. Peep it here:

House of Dreams

The album starts with an energetic track, (horns, drums, etc.) something that really grabs your attention, and gets you up and moving. Not one to get outshined by a great beat, Hollywood Floss SPITS. Clever lines and witty flows such as “12 steps ahead/ you can say I relapsed”, “so drink up, let my music soak in/151, every line potent.” Then, on the same track, he switches up the beat to almost the exact opposite of the first sound you heard. It goes from a lively and exuberant track to something mellow. Less lyricism and more explanation of the LP’s name.With lines like “I hope I never wake, I know it sounds extreme/ but Hollywood Floss is out living his dream.” The transition in between could have been smoother but it was a great way to start of the album because the track seizes your attention.

He’s Back

T he next track gets active again, it sounds very similar to the House of Dreams track. Boasting with lyricism and braggadocious rhymes, it almost sounds a little angry. With clever, and quick lines and nice wordplay like “Too many bleak [Bleek] careers, not enough Jay-Zs”. The he switches the beat and rhymes (much more smoothly this time) into a somber story about a woman being left by a man who impregnated her. It is a good track but it is a lot like the track right that played right before it.

To New Beginnings

The next track, To New Beginnings, is a very personal track; it is a song about Hollywood Floss’ life condensed into 4 minutes. Through Floss’ lyrics you can see his life through a somber but reflective track. “I ain’t never forgave myself/for not helping my cousin before he shot himself”. Floss does a great job of getting the listener’s attention. The lyrics and delivery blend together perfectly in harmony. This is one of the best tracks on the album, and one of my favorites.

When The Worlds against You

After such a personal track, Floss follows it up perfectly with this inspirational track. Even though it is a song on the album for the listener, you can tell Floss made this song for himself. Its straight inspiration and builds up hope. Even “when the world’s against you, you gotta put your fist up higher.” A song that provides hope is something that you don’t hear too often in hip-hop.

I’ll Be Honest

The next track is “I’ll Be Honest” and it didn’t seem to flow after the last track. It was less cohesive than the previous tracks. From House of Dreams to When the World’s Against You, you can see why Floss placed it there. Each track had perfect placement. However, this track it seemed more like “well this track is going on the album, and it seems less awkward after “When The Worlds Against You”. Nevertheless, I do like the track though; he gives honest rhymes about controversial topics. After the soul-sampling beat, floss switches it up into a simpler beat with more brag swag raps.

She Said…

The next track is the HILARIOUS “She Said…” It’s a track describing the relationship between him and his girl. While tracks about relationships tend to be super-serious, Floss heads the other direction and makes it into something of comedy. With rhymes such as “She said slow down, you don’t know how to drive/ I said I will take your advice when you get your own ride” and “She said why you always leave the toilet seat up? / I said why you tweet more than you have your feet done?” Although it is a funny song, Floss doesn’t forget he has a point to prove, and ties it together nicely in the end with advice for the men out there that don’t know how to treat their girl.

In Yo’ Dreams

The next track would probably be my least favorite track on the album. It is a track about clothes, his skills on the mic, and how you can’t “get like me” flow. Lyrically it isn’t bad, but it is more blatant bragging, and didn’t really see a point to it on the album. This just is not my type of track. Even though he does start spitting at the end, it’s just not my type of track. It does sound nice in the car; however it’s too much of a cliché “car song” to me.

Nightmare on MC Street

Next track is “Nightmare on MC Street” and is a straight GET LIVE track. Floss steps outside his box, and does the fast-flow and does it quite well. Straight witty lyricism (these squares are exponentially less, they do not grow), a great flow, and an excellent beat. Couldn’t ask for anything more in this track. This is one of those “Hold up, let me rewind this” tracks.

Life

The next track is “Life” and it is the most creative track on the album. Floss personifies Life as a person, a girl at that. Floss describes the relationship with Life, which isn’t necessarily a good one but one you have to keep regardless. “If you do get to dance with her, hold on tight/ because some don’t even get the invite, but hey…that’s Life”

Shut It Down

The last track on the album “Shut It Down” is a perfect way to end the album. It tells the perfect tale to who Floss is, his mission, and what he stands for. All the while repping his city and not forgetting where he came from, paying homage to those that made Houston what it is.

You might have noticed that I didn’t really go that much into the production on the album. That was on purpose because I felt like it deserved its own section. Hollywood Floss and Chris Rockaway handled most of the production and let me say, they did their thing. They use real instruments (drums, guitars, etc.), beautifully flipped soul-sampling. Every beat is above average, and production-wise (quote me) this album is damn near flawless. (ESPECIALLY in the car).

Overall, this is an exceptional album. Hollywood Floss destroys the stereotype that southern rappers can’t rap. This is an album I can see myself still listening to months from now. That’s something I rarely do. He did an excellent job of creating a work of art that is clever, has examples of great lyricism, and elements of humor that I hope you listen to.

$15.00 out of $20

Buy the digital/physical copy of House of Dreams for $10 at Bigcartel [Hardcopy] or iTunes [digital]